First of all I apologize that
the quality of this clip is poor, but it's the only tape that I
have acquired (once again from Brian) that has Earl Anthony before
the senior tour.

This particular clip took place on February 26, 1983 at the True
Value Open. Earl was 44 years old, and had qualified 1st. He had
struggled most of the year up to this point of the season. They
mentioned that the week before Earl practiced 100 games, and I
guess it paid off. Although he is not shown, a very young Walter
Ray Williams Jr. qualified 3rd in this tournament, and lost to Mal
Acosta. Acosta I believe won 3 PBA events, with most of his
success coming in the early 80s.

Earl was the smoothest, methodical bowler I have ever witnessed.
He ranks as my all time favorite bowler. In other postings on this
board, he has been described as quite a gentlemen, and went out of
his way for people. He is still missed through out the bowling
community.

In the final match between Mal Acosta, Mal needed to strike in the
10 frame to capture the title, but left a weak 10. Therefore, Earl
won title #40, and $27,000. A side note, Acosta was using a Force
III ball, and a kinetic controller on his wrist. As a 17 year old
in 1983, I got sucked in and bought a kinetic controller. I also
used a Force III as well!

I hope you can get past the poor quality, and at least somewhat
remember how Earl once bowled. Enjoy!

The score was 224-220, but that barely begins to tell the story of
Earl Anthony, who in just six short weeks earlier in the year was
the object of a lot of talk. Was he losing his desire? Was his
game starting to slip?The cure was simple. He went out the week
before the $150,000 True Value Open and practiced at least 100
games. Practice proved Anthony to be nearly perfect.

As the qualifying leader, Anthony first watched non-champion Gil
Sliker lose to Tom Baker, 244-195, and then world champion
horseshoe player Walter Ray Williams Jr. roll to a 269-208 win
over Baker. Mal Acosta was next up, and he took the measure of
Williams, 228-207. Anthony then stepped into win his 40th PBA
title and the $27,000 first prize.